I tested the Mastodon waters with my 2023 #UmeåAthens train trip. It allowed me to write about my experiences and share the wonders of train travel with interested readers. And Mastodon (mostly) supported that goal really well.

https://mastodon.nu/@jamesbenedictbrown/109879777642469647

#UmeåAthens #OverAndOut 😴

To the restaurant car, between second and first class. There are a couple of tables reserved for people who choose a set meal (€8) and the rest is first-come, first-served. Drinks, snacks and light meals available from the counter.

#UmeåAthens

Compared to this morning’s slow, rumbling, dirty and very tired diesel train from Strimon/Strymonas, this is another world. We’re already up to speed, and the train is clean, quiet and very modern.

Hellenic Train are wise to invest heavily in the Thessaloniki - Athens corridor where they have a chance to be competitive against road and air. It may take time, but we can hope for the returns to be invested on other secondary lines in years to come.

#UmeåAthens

The outside of the carriages have been covered in a striking blue and white vinyl, which I reckon has the subtle effect of dissuading graffiti (since it’d be almost impossible to discern any tagging). Inside, the second class cars are all modern, open saloons with 2+2 seating, mostly airline but with 6 tables of four per carriage. Power sockets sit at shoulder height between the windows.

#UmeåAthens

It’s time for the sixteenth and final 😢 train of #UmeåAthens - IC59 from Thessaloniki (14:56) to Athens (19:03).

Here’s your daily #UmeåAthens vegan/vegetarian tip: ROOTS at Mpalanou 4 in Thessaloniki 🇬🇷 👌

Fancy paying €1000s to drive an SUV all the way from 🇬🇧 to 🇬🇷 and then getting a parking ticket. 😆

#UmeåAthens

A walk down the sea front to the White Tower and statue of Alexander the Great. The Police are out, hassling some hawkers but leaving others well alone. Maybe you can guess which are which. 🤫

#UmeåAthens

Following a tip off by my Umeå student Efstratios P., I’ve hunted out a branch of Terkenlis in Thessaloniki. now have enough sugar in my bloodstream to propel myself to Athens.

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Thessaloniki 🇬🇷 and - ten days after leaving Vännäs 🇸🇪 at 64°N - my first glimpse of the Mediterranean down the length of Aristotélous.

#UmeåAthens

@jamesbenedictbrown
Totally. Could do with a bit of Photoshop (or equivalent) to see how close you can get it to look like an #intercity #train!

#umeaathens

Other trains at Thessaloniki railway station. Note the new triangular OSE Hellenic Trains branding on one of the carriages… perhaps making it harder (or less worthwhile?) to try and Graffiti the train?

#UmeåAthens

IC1631 from Drama and Strimon/Strymonas arrives in Thessaloniki on time (10:26). There is more than a passing resemblance to the British InterCity 125 in the design of the driving cab.

#UmeåAthens

Awesome eighties’ space-frame platform canopy at the rather dilapidated station at New Philadelphi (Νέα Φιλαδέλφεια).

#UmeåAthens

Departing Kilkis (Κιλκίς). Out of shot, crouching on the platform, a rail fan was either filming or photographing our departure.

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Arriving Kilkis (Κιλκίς).

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Greek countryside north of Kilkis (Κιλκίς).

#UmeåAthens

A glimpse of Doiran Lake (Дојранско Езеро 🇲🇰/ Λίμνη Δοϊράνη 🇬🇷) and the hills of North Macedonia beyond.

#UmeåAthens

Ein Zwei-Wege-Unimog in Griechenland 👀 @jamesbenedictbrown 🔗 https://mastodon.nu/users/jamesbenedictbrown/statuses/109929477907101552
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Strymonas/Strimon railway station. Set apart from the nearest village, this is the closest station on the Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli railway, and the junction for the 17.5km railway north Kulata and onwards to Sofia.

If and when international services resume, through carriages will be marshalled into/off Greek trains here. For now, there is no substitute bus (despite what some sources say).

#UmeåAthens